Modern float fishing can trace its orgins to the highly competitive European sport of match fishing, which has evolved into a fine art. By using long rods, light lines and sensitive floats, anglers can acheive an ultra natural bait presentation. When mastered, float fishing is extremely effective, especially on wary fish or in highly pressured fisheries.

The development of centerpin reels (float reels) allowed anglers to acheive even deadlier results in rivers and streams. With a centerpin, the line feeds off in a smooth and fluid fashion. This allows the float to drift downstream with virtually no resistance and present the bait naturally to the fish. Centerpins further enhance the excitement of the fight with a direct one-to-one retrieve and no mechanical drag.

This booklet will cover the gear needed to float fish, how to select the right floats and how to rig up. It will also offer basic instruction on how to cast with a centerpin reen, and, finally, a few general tips and techniques to help ensure your success.

Species To Catch On Float Fishing

Float Fishing has become synonymous with steelheading in much of the Great Lakes region. However, float fishing can be just as effective on everything from sunfish and bass to pike and carp.

Panfish: Use small floats and tiny jigs around any cover or structure (docks, weeds, stumps, ect). We usually grab the smaller Raven FS Floats with jigs, which tend to cock up and show takes quicker than any other float.

Bass: Run worms, leeches, crayfish, or minnows under the float. Fish along any cover, structure or current break and through deeper pools. Twitching a jig under a slip float in still water creates a deadly vertical presentation.

Pike: Suspend a live or dead minnow (hooked through the back) off the bottom under a big float. Make sure to under-shot the float so that the minnow can't pull it under.

Catfish: Fish nightcrawlers and minnows alond the bottom of deep pools and below strong current breaks. Use larger fixed or slip floats, like the Raven FD and FX series float.

Carp: Use canned corn on the hook (enough to cover most of the hook) and run a small float through slow pools and current breaks. The Raven SS and SM series floats are very effective for these light bitting fish. Try chumming with a few handfuls of corn to get the fish feeding.

More Tips About Float Fishing

Set the hook with a clean, sweeping motion the moment the float pulls under or off to one side. Keep the rod up and light tension on the reel to avoid break-offs as the fish makes its initial run.

Make sure to watch for overhanging tree branches and avoid fishing under bridges. It takes just one missed hook set to smash a rod against either.

Avoid adding lubricants to the bearings on your float reel, as this may negatively affect its performance. Keeping the bearings free from grit and water will ensure their optimal performance.

In windy situations, back-shotting the float will keep it from blowing off course. Back-shotting calls for a single small shot to be placed 6 to 12" above the float to drop the line into the water and out of the wind.

FishinGurus.com Is Here To Help

FishinGurus.com has been helping anglers across the country with fishing information for years! Unsure where to fish in Illinois? Call us at 1-847-991-3200

Modern float fishing can trace its orgins to the highly competitive European sport of match fishing, which has evolved into a fine art. By using long rods, light lines and sensitive floats, anglers can acheive an ultra natural bait presentation. When mastered, float fishing is extremely effective, especially on wary fish or in highly pressured fisheries.

The development of centerpin reels (float reels) allowed anglers to acheive even deadlier results in rivers and streams. With a centerpin, the line feeds off in a smooth and fluid fashion. This allows the float to drift downstream with virtually no resistance and present the bait naturally to the fish. Centerpins further enhance the excitement of the fight with a direct one-to-one retrieve and no mechanical drag.

This booklet will cover the gear needed to float fish, how to select the right floats and how to rig up. It will also offer basic instruction on how to cast with a centerpin reen, and, finally, a few general tips and techniques to help ensure your success.

Species To Catch On Float Fishing

Float Fishing has become synonymous with steelheading in much of the Great Lakes region. However, float fishing can be just as effective on everything from sunfish and bass to pike and carp.

Panfish: Use small floats and tiny jigs around any cover or structure (docks, weeds, stumps, ect). We usually grab the smaller Raven FS Floats with jigs, which tend to cock up and show takes quicker than any other float.

Bass: Run worms, leeches, crayfish, or minnows under the float. Fish along any cover, structure or current break and through deeper pools. Twitching a jig under a slip float in still water creates a deadly vertical presentation.

Pike: Suspend a live or dead minnow (hooked through the back) off the bottom under a big float. Make sure to under-shot the float so that the minnow can't pull it under.

Catfish: Fish nightcrawlers and minnows alond the bottom of deep pools and below strong current breaks. Use larger fixed or slip floats, like the Raven FD and FX series float.

Carp: Use canned corn on the hook (enough to cover most of the hook) and run a small float through slow pools and current breaks. The Raven SS and SM series floats are very effective for these light bitting fish. Try chumming with a few handfuls of corn to get the fish feeding.

More Tips About Float Fishing

Set the hook with a clean, sweeping motion the moment the float pulls under or off to one side. Keep the rod up and light tension on the reel to avoid break-offs as the fish makes its initial run.

Make sure to watch for overhanging tree branches and avoid fishing under bridges. It takes just one missed hook set to smash a rod against either.

Avoid adding lubricants to the bearings on your float reel, as this may negatively affect its performance. Keeping the bearings free from grit and water will ensure their optimal performance.

In windy situations, back-shotting the float will keep it from blowing off course. Back-shotting calls for a single small shot to be placed 6 to 12" above the float to drop the line into the water and out of the wind.

FishinGurus.com Is Here To Help

FishinGurus.com has been helping anglers across the country with fishing information for years! Unsure where to fish in Illinois? Call us at 1-847-991-3200

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